My 2021 LX570 has a flush rail and options are limited if I don't drop the headliner. I’m going to install Yakima Ridgeline towers, and consider between and LockNLoad platform and MegaWarrior. LockNLoad is much more expensive and it looks better. MegaWarrior seems cost-efficient. Any recommendation LockNLoad platform vs MegaWarrior, or anything else?
Roof rack system for 2021 LX570? (LockNLoad platform vs MegaWarrior ?)
- Thread starter lx570gogogo
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Are you planning to keep the truck for a bit? And plan to use the roof rack a lot? If so consider dropping the headliner and doing it now. This would maximize your utility.
You’ll hear buy once cry once a lot on this forum.
Last edited:
I currently use a modular approach, which works well with the stock rack and yakima/thule stuff:
- Stock rack 90% of the time, good for paddle and surfboards and best for nothing, which is the vast majority of time.
- Yakima roof box 8%, ski trips
- Yakima megawarrior 2%, camping trips with lots of gear
- ARB 3/4 baserack
- Wescott Designs 3/4 rack (that is drop in, new idea)
I haven't seen seen anything that wasn't made by Thule, Yakima, or Lexus that is for the LX570 rails yet. So like @grinchy says, if you want something from the "off road" aftermarket, you are going to have to convert to the standard mounting system. Or go custom and adapt the Thule/Yakima feet to some sort of tray.
I am also torn between same decision. Should I go with expensive platform where every additional thing I want to put on roof needs a specific attachment to lock itself, or go with roof basket where I can throw in any stuff and use cargo net or bag to hold it down?
I dont off road as much as I do camping/beach trips with random bags and sandy stuff to throw on roof. Roof basket on my older highlander was useful to throw anything on the top and tie it down with tarp/net/straps.
With roof platform, its not clear if I can put such random stuff like bag of sand toys, went towels, beach umbrellas etc with ease or if I need some sort of attachments to be able to anchor them into place?
Any review or video (if one already exist) will be helpful to understand which one I should lean towards.
I dont off road as much as I do camping/beach trips with random bags and sandy stuff to throw on roof. Roof basket on my older highlander was useful to throw anything on the top and tie it down with tarp/net/straps.
With roof platform, its not clear if I can put such random stuff like bag of sand toys, went towels, beach umbrellas etc with ease or if I need some sort of attachments to be able to anchor them into place?
Any review or video (if one already exist) will be helpful to understand which one I should lean towards.
This is the topic of my current obsession.
I need a roof rack that does not obstruct the sunroof and to be as low profile as possible.
What i would like to do is fairly simple:
Have a basic roof rack that i can load some wood on top of and odds and ends if i need to. Simple, low profile, LIGHT, and as low drag and quiet as possible.
Find a roof top tent that is not $10k to put on when we want to go explore that opens sideways not longways to accommodate that short rack. This also allows for a makeshift awning 2 in 1 when its open. If that tent can also have side mounting rails / top mounting racks that would be nice but we will have a rear carrier and inside space anyway so for CoG sake, i will forget about that.
Looking at the offerings in tents is daunting, and im not sure even if that is the best but i think its a nice dry and safe way to camp without much setup.
Im just overwhelmed with options and not looking to spend 20-30 thousand either. Same story with rear carriers although they are cheaper.
Thanks a lot to @grinchy also for holding my hand a bit. I have no idea what products are good and what is just hype.
I need a roof rack that does not obstruct the sunroof and to be as low profile as possible.
What i would like to do is fairly simple:
Have a basic roof rack that i can load some wood on top of and odds and ends if i need to. Simple, low profile, LIGHT, and as low drag and quiet as possible.
Find a roof top tent that is not $10k to put on when we want to go explore that opens sideways not longways to accommodate that short rack. This also allows for a makeshift awning 2 in 1 when its open. If that tent can also have side mounting rails / top mounting racks that would be nice but we will have a rear carrier and inside space anyway so for CoG sake, i will forget about that.
Looking at the offerings in tents is daunting, and im not sure even if that is the best but i think its a nice dry and safe way to camp without much setup.
Im just overwhelmed with options and not looking to spend 20-30 thousand either. Same story with rear carriers although they are cheaper.
Thanks a lot to @grinchy also for holding my hand a bit. I have no idea what products are good and what is just hype.
I have a Yakima LockNLoad platform using Timberline towers to connect to the factory rails. Seems convoluted but I wanted the maximum versatility without removing the factory rack. Since I don't need a rack very often, being able to remove when not needed was one of the goals.
Prior to purchasing the platform I ran some 60" Yakima JetStream bars, also using Timberline Towers to connect to the factory rails. The JetStream bars have slots that can accept T-bolts, whereas the Aero bars do not.
I have very little time on the platform and several months / several thousand miles on the bars.
My primary needs were to carry cargo and fuel.
Cargo: With the bars I am able to carry two Skybox easily. The Skybox type carriers will not work on the LockNLoad without a set of additional raised bars as the "claws" will not fit through the gaps in the slats. I could carry cargo bags on the platform, but I prefer the lockable and aerodynamic storage of the boxes.
Fuel: the platform is probably better for carrying fuel containers, but one or two rotopax universal plates can be attached to the bars to allow up to 8 gallons of fuel (this will take the place of one cargo box).
Noise: In my observation, the platform was noisy. Not too bad with the sunroof closed but still very noticeable. The bars were extremely quiet. I could not hear them over the AT tires.
Profile: I can fit in my garage with the bars attached. I can NOT fit in my garage with the platform attached. The bars look sleek, the platform sits quite a bit above the roof and looks kind of out of place (IMO). The bars are light, the platform is heavy.
For my needs the bars are my preference. The platform would allow more flexibility in carrying random things (awning comes to mind), but the bars can be configured to carry the things I need. With the T-nut capability of the bars, brackets can be made / adapted to fit all sorts of things.
Anyone want to buy my LockNLoad?
Prior to purchasing the platform I ran some 60" Yakima JetStream bars, also using Timberline Towers to connect to the factory rails. The JetStream bars have slots that can accept T-bolts, whereas the Aero bars do not.
I have very little time on the platform and several months / several thousand miles on the bars.
My primary needs were to carry cargo and fuel.
Cargo: With the bars I am able to carry two Skybox easily. The Skybox type carriers will not work on the LockNLoad without a set of additional raised bars as the "claws" will not fit through the gaps in the slats. I could carry cargo bags on the platform, but I prefer the lockable and aerodynamic storage of the boxes.
Fuel: the platform is probably better for carrying fuel containers, but one or two rotopax universal plates can be attached to the bars to allow up to 8 gallons of fuel (this will take the place of one cargo box).
Noise: In my observation, the platform was noisy. Not too bad with the sunroof closed but still very noticeable. The bars were extremely quiet. I could not hear them over the AT tires.
Profile: I can fit in my garage with the bars attached. I can NOT fit in my garage with the platform attached. The bars look sleek, the platform sits quite a bit above the roof and looks kind of out of place (IMO). The bars are light, the platform is heavy.
For my needs the bars are my preference. The platform would allow more flexibility in carrying random things (awning comes to mind), but the bars can be configured to carry the things I need. With the T-nut capability of the bars, brackets can be made / adapted to fit all sorts of things.
Anyone want to buy my LockNLoad?
I have a Yakima LockNLoad platform using Timberline towers to connect to the factory rails. Seems convoluted but I wanted the maximum versatility without removing the factory rack. Since I don't need a rack very often, being able to remove when not needed was one of the goals.
Prior to purchasing the platform I ran some 60" Yakima JetStream bars, also using Timberline Towers to connect to the factory rails. The JetStream bars have slots that can accept T-bolts, whereas the Aero bars do not.
I have very little time on the platform and several months / several thousand miles on the bars.
My primary needs were to carry cargo and fuel.
Cargo: With the bars I am able to carry two Skybox easily. The Skybox type carriers will not work on the LockNLoad without a set of additional raised bars as the "claws" will not fit through the gaps in the slats. I could carry cargo bags on the platform, but I prefer the lockable and aerodynamic storage of the boxes.
Fuel: the platform is probably better for carrying fuel containers, but one or two rotopax universal plates can be attached to the bars to allow up to 8 gallons of fuel (this will take the place of one cargo box).
Noise: In my observation, the platform was noisy. Not too bad with the sunroof closed but still very noticeable. The bars were extremely quiet. I could not hear them over the AT tires.
Profile: I can fit in my garage with the bars attached. I can NOT fit in my garage with the platform attached. The bars look sleek, the platform sits quite a bit above the roof and looks kind of out of place (IMO). The bars are light, the platform is heavy.
For my needs the bars are my preference. The platform would allow more flexibility in carrying random things (awning comes to mind), but the bars can be configured to carry the things I need. With the T-nut capability of the bars, brackets can be made / adapted to fit all sorts of things.
Anyone want to buy my LockNLoad?
The problem is the 2016+ LX flush roof rails. They use clamp style mounts and are very low profile.
Like you i need to leave the basic system on for space and weight savings and mount a RTT when id like.
Its also going to be easy to clean underneath that way as i do all my own detail work.
Post a pic anyway if you have it though.
I didn't realize that. Do they make a mount that would work with that vehicle? I would imagine all of the above info would apply just by replacing the Timberline Towers with the appropriate mount? I guess my point was if you are looking at the temporary nature of something like the LockNLoad, try to see if the bars would suit your needs instead.
I had a nice Front Runner rack on my 100 which I really liked, was extremely versatile and I could fit in my garage. On the 200 I didn't want a permanent rack but still needed to carry stuff on the roof. That said, if I did I wouldn't hesitate to get another FR. They even have a low profile version now.
I had a nice Front Runner rack on my 100 which I really liked, was extremely versatile and I could fit in my garage. On the 200 I didn't want a permanent rack but still needed to carry stuff on the roof. That said, if I did I wouldn't hesitate to get another FR. They even have a low profile version now.
Yes, exactly what im looking to do but rather than taking the mounts on and off the vehicle rail, i would like the tent to quick release.
The mounts are easy enough to find from mutiple reputable brands.
What i cant figure out is whether the load rating provided is for the clamp they sell, or their compatible cross bars.
I am guessing its a load for the bars as its the same as the Lexus cross bars and im sure the clamp has massive compressive strength anyway.
Ive asked elsewhere but there is not real load limit for the roof itself right? As long as the mounts are above the trucks body pillars, it should theoretically handle the weight of a rollover right? Help...
The 3rd gen LX isn’t using all four pads per side is it? Post up a pic of where the rack terminates, or post up the rail length.
Full strength would only be using all four pads per side.
The stock tlc rack only used three pads.
I will soon as i get her back from dealer. Its a full length rail though and looks good.
Fairly certain from those that provided photos of the headliner drop that it was 4 pads.
How is the LC using only 3?
There are 4 holes in all the roofs, the LC rack only lands on 3 and there is a filler bracket for the holes in the 4th spot. 08-15 LXs only use 2 pads per rail. Which i believe is ultimately the reason there are 4 pads. LC uses 1-3-4 and LX uses 2-4.
I guess the question for the flush mount rails is are they actually bolted up in all 4 holes? I'm not really sure if it matters if it is actually flush to the roof and applies weight evenly across the entire roof weld channel.
I guess the question for the flush mount rails is are they actually bolted up in all 4 holes? I'm not really sure if it matters if it is actually flush to the roof and applies weight evenly across the entire roof weld channel.
Is it possible this is the winner in strength and using all these 6 mounting bolts per side?
Looks like all four pads are used, at least partially.
Looks plenty strong . . .
I'd go clamp/tower shopping and get some aero bars. A couple manufacturers also make a platform that attaches to their towers, I think Rhino Rack for one.
Looks plenty strong . . .
I'd go clamp/tower shopping and get some aero bars. A couple manufacturers also make a platform that attaches to their towers, I think Rhino Rack for one.
BINGO. I think thats numberwang.
Shooting for something like this but clamped:
Gonna be ordering something soon and then measuring usable space for a tent! Getting excited finally a "mod" lol.
Responding to my own statement. I wasn't considering the weight of stuff on the rack going in the up direction, which is something that certainly needs to be accounted for, so the more bolts the better.
Thule AeroBlade Edge 7604
Thule AeroBlade Edge 7603
Kit 184072
The Thule AeroBlade Edge: The first complete rack system to integrate a low-profile, aerodynamic design with the strongest carrying capacity of any aftermarket rack.
This bar has an integrated T-track.
Downside is that kit (2 bars) is $740. $370 a bar. Might need (4) -> $1480!!!
Could be cheaper to pay a day of labor to drop the headliner and go with towers or a backbone.
Your links are broken, there seems to be some session info stored (everything including and after the ?) that keeps it from loading.
